Specifying compliance to RS-422 only establishes that the signal between the specified devices will be
compatible. It does not indicate that the signal functions or operations between the two devices are compatible.
The RS-422 standard only defines the characteristic requirements for the balanced line drivers and receivers. It
does not specify one specific connector, signal names or operations. RS-422 interfaces are typically used when the
data rate or distance criteria cannot be met with RS-232. The RS-422 standard allows for operation of up to 10
receivers from a single transmitter. The standard does not define operations of multiple tristated transmitters on
a link.

The RS-422-A interfaces between the Data Terminal Equipment (DTE) and Data Communication Equipment
(DCE) or in any point-to-point interconnection of signals between digital equipment. It employs the electrical
characteristics of balanced-voltage digital interface circuits.

The balanced voltage digital interface
circuit will normally be utilized on data, timing, or control circuits where the data signaling rate is up to 10
Mbit/s. While the balanced interface is intended for use at the higher data signaling rate, it may ( in preference
to the unbalanced interface circuit ) generally be required if any of the following conditions prevail:

The interconnecting cable is too long for effective unbalanced operation.

The interconnecting cable is exposed to an extraneous noise source that may cause an unwanted voltage in
excess of + 1 volt measured differentially between the signal conductor and circuit common at the load end of
the cable with a 50 ohm resistor substituted for the generator.

It is necessary to minimize interference with other signals.

Inversion of signals may be required, i.e. plus to minus MARK may be obtained by inverting the cable pair.

Applications of the balanced voltage digital interface circuit are shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1. Applications of a RS-422 Circuit

While a restriction on maximum cable length is not specified, guidelines are given later with respect to
conservative operating distances as function of data signalling rate.

For a binary system in which the
RS-422-A is designed, the data signalling rate in bit/s and the modulation in bauds are numerically equal when the
unit interval used in each determination is the minimum interval.

Electrical Characteristics:

The
balanced voltage digital interface circuit consists of three parts: the generator (G), the balanced
interconnecting cable, and the load. The load is comprised of one or more receivers (R) and an optional cable
termination resistance (RT). The balanced voltage interface circuit is shown in Figure 2.

Environmental
Constraints:

Balanced voltage digital interface conforming to this standard will perform satisfactorily at
data signalling rates up to 10 Mbit/s providing that the following operational constraints are satisfied:

The interconnecting cable length is within that recommended for the applicable data signalling rate ( see
Figure 3) and the cable is appropriately terminated.

The common mode voltage at the receiver is less than 7 volts (peak). The common mode voltage is defined to
be any uncompensated combination of generator-receiver ground potential difference, the generator offset voltage
(Vos), and longitudinally coupled peak noise voltage measured between the received circuit ground and cable
within the generator ends of the cable short-circuited to ground.

Figure 2. Balanced Digital Interface Circuit

Interconnecting Cable Guidelines:

The maximum permissible length of cable separating the generator and the load is a function of data signalling
rate and is influenced by the tolerable signal distortion, the amount of coupled noise and ground potential
difference introduced between the generator and load circuit as well as by cable balance. The curve of cable
length versus signalling rate is given in Figure 3. This curve is based upon using 24 AWG copper, twisted-pair
cable with a capacitance of 52.5 pF/meter terminated in a 100 ohm load. As data signalling rate is reduced below
90 kbit/s, the cable length has been limited at 1200 meters by the assumed maximum allowable 6 dBV signal loss.

Industry customs are not nearly as well established for RS-422 interfaces as they are for RS-232. The standard
specifies use of the 37-pin "D"; the 9-pin "D" is specified for use with the secondary channel. Most data
communications equipment uses the 37-pin "D"; many computer applications use a 9-pin "D" only. Some equipment
applications use the 25-pin "D" defined for RS-232.

Compatibility With Other Interfaces:

Since the
basic differential receivers of RS-423-A and RS-422-A are electrically identical, it is possible to interconnect
an equipment using RS-423-A receivers and generators on one side of the interface with an equipment using RS-422-A
generators and receivers on the other side of the interface, if the leads of the receivers and generators are
properly configured to accommodate such an arrangement and the cable is not terminated.

This circuit is not
intended for interoperation with other interface electrical circuits such as RS-232-C, MIL-STD-188C, or CCITT
(Comite Consultatif Internationale Telegraphique et Telephonique), recommendations V.28 and V.35. Under certain
conditions, the above interfaces may be possible but may require modification of the interface or equipment;
therefore satisfactory operation is not assured and additional provisions not specified herein may be required.